Posts categorized "Home Decorating"

June 05, 2015

Earlier this week, after I'd posted photos of the upholstered chairs that I'd painted, I wished I'd added a paragraph. Painting the chairs was a fun little DIY project, but it deserved some commentary on gratitude and hospitality.

Hide and Seek with Toddlers

You see, I hated those chairs for years. Back when I bought them, their mauve shade went perfectly with the floral couch (think: BIG CABBAGE ROSES) and the matching custom drapery that was all the rage in the early 1990's. But they fell out of fashion as the decade came to a close...and that's when I wanted to replace them.

Unfortunately, replacing them was not in the budget, so there they sat in my living room. They were such an eyesore to me that I did not even want people to come over. I hate to admit this, but they began to affect my hospitality.

Isn't that sad? I'm not proud of that.

It's hard to admit that something so material would keep me from inviting someone to my house. Even though I've always known that people are more important than things, when it came down to it, I let those chairs get to me.

When I finally faced this truth, and decided to be thankful for them anyway, I learned I could open my arms and welcome others into my home, no matter what.

True sanctuary is not about stuff...it's about love. A home is more than the things in it. It is in the gratitude and the warmth and acceptance of the people inside.

Sanctuary opens the doors and says, "welcome."

My mauve-turned-beige-turned blue chairs remind me to be grateful.

They remind me that creating a home sanctuary is about love....and maybe a little paint.

They remind me to say yes to hospitality.

How about you? Have you ever let material things ( or lack of them) keep you from being hospitable? Do you struggle with gratitude? I encourage you to say a prayer of thanksgiving for what you have today...and see what a difference it makes.

I'm loving the inspiration to see my home through the eyes of gratitude and creativity. Each of us need a periodic boost to delight in the home that you already have, instead of wishing for something more. I'm enjoying every page that's filled with Melissa's ideas and outlook, and thought I'd take a minute to share it with you. It's well worth your time to put your feet up and savor reading. I challenge you not to get up and feel like rearranging or decluttering immediately! It's just what I've needed.

June 02, 2015

Several years ago, I had a pair of mauve wingback chairs that no longer "worked" in my living room. Basically, the year 1991 called and said it wanted the chairs back.

I considered having them reupholstered, but when I discovered how costly it would be, I thought I'd just donate them to a local charity instead. The mauve just HAD to go.

As a last-ditch effort to do something with them, I decided to try painting them! I mean, what did I have to lose, right?

That was over ten years ago...and the painted finish has held up so well that I recently RE-painted them! What I once imagined as a temporary fix, turns out, is perfect for outdoor living in my breezeway.

The first time I did the chairs, I painted them a cream color. I actually added a subtle faux finish over the top of the paint because I was into that then. I used a slightly darker paint mixed with glaze and sort of ragged it on. These chairs looked purdy darn good for almost A DECADE!

OUTSIDE!

IN THE BREEZEWAY!

OUTSIDE!

Small note:

For this second go around, I was ten years older and twice as lazy. I did not mix the paint with fabric medium...I just opened the can and slopped it on. Okay, I was careful not to drip and all that, but I definitely did not use extreme caution. Also, guests were coming the next day and I just wanted to get it done. Behr Lap Pool Blue (oops, it was Satin, oh well!) happened to be on hand...so I ran with it.

The chairs look great.

Yeah, they might feel a little bit plastic-y, but I really don't mind. They withstand the occasional bird poop from visiting wrens who sometimes perch on them, and they never get mildewed,

Most importantly, the chairs say, "you don't have to be pretentious to sit here."

I like that.

Now, let's have some iced tea, shall we?

What is your favorite DIY makeover with paint? Tell me about it! (Have I mentioned I love paint?)

January 21, 2015

My accidental career as an artist started with a tole painting class at a local craft store, almost twenty years ago.

I was desperate to find something (besides taking care of children and doing laundry) to fill a creative void, and I thought that getting out of the house to take a two-hour class might be just the ticket. I could not have imagined that the "ticket" would take me so far...to painting in multi-million dollar mansions, corporate offices, restaurants and television studios! I still have that first tile trivet I painted in class – I keep it in my kitchen so I'm reminded of the amazing journey I've been on since then.

That one class opened up a whole new world of creativity and DIY'ing for me...and most importantly, I discovered the joy of MAKING THINGS. Along the way I've become convinced that people – all people – are simply wired to create. Even those who think they don't have a creative bone in their body.

Something almost magical happens when you paint, or sew, or build, or knit, or wield a hot glue gun. Or when you rearrange decor, or take photographs, or plant flowers. I believe our subconscious mind goes to another level that allows us to relax, de-stress, and even solve problems. After more than fifteen years as a professional artist, I've had a lot of time to prove this theory. :)

So let me ask you:

Do you love to create?

Do you wish you could find something that could spark your imagination?

Do you wish you knew what kind of project to start next?

Or maybe you have a project in mind, but don't know how to go about doing it?

I'm so excited to share an amazing offer with you!

I rarely "do" sales or promotions on my blog. It's just not my style. But I'm making an exception for this, because of how pivotal creativity has been in my life. And I think, maybe you're ready for some kind of "spark" to come into your life, too!

Some of my online friends have assembled something called, The Ultimate DIY Bundle! It’s your instant go-to library for a whole range of carefully curated DIY and crafting eBooks and eCourses. There are projects that the whole family can get involved in – from pet photography and home decor to chalk pastels and sewing.

So, let me tell you all about it:

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January 31, 2014

I love how you bring images of lovely things to my sight. How you make my heart beat with desire over DIY projects and new decor. I love how my head spins with ideas and dreams for my home.

(Kill pretty music)

Bvvvvvvt. I don't love how depressed I feel later, when I see my same, tired junk. Staring me in the face, mocking my decorating dreams. I see you, dust. I see you, faded couch and sad little pillow. I'm talking to you, broken lamp and faded silk flowers. You make me feel sad and deprived. And slightly angry. My countenance falleth.

(Pretty music)

But today I will love you. I will pretend you are new and pretty and shiny. I will dust you and plump you, and primp you. I will rearrange you so that your best side shows. I will take a photo of you and share it on Instagram because I'm proud of our history together.

How can I love what I have? Here are five ways:

1. I shall have less of it out. I shall clear the clutter so a few lovelies can have their moment to shine.

2. I shall clean it. Perhaps a soak in water or a wipe with a damp cloth will bring them back to life. I know they will breathe easier without an inch of dust on them.

3. I shall rearrange it. I shall group them in three's, and stagger their heights so that they look like a vignette. Just like the designers do on TV.

4. I shall repurpose it. I shall think of new ways to use old things. I shall see containers, wall art and tools where others see junk. I shall be inventive and creative.

5. I shall be grateful. My things are paid for, they are family heirlooms, they are memories. They remind me that I have more than I need, when others would love to have my old couch, or my ginormous television set, things I have disdained and said, "get thee from my sight." I shall now say, "Thou art beautiful in my sight, oh my stuff, for thou art paid for."

Do you feel unhappy with your home and decor? Do you wish for a fairy to come along and wave a magic wand? Are you in danger of running up your credit card bill at HomeGoods, in a desperate moment?

Today's Small Thing is to love what you have.

Take one (or all) of the five tips above and make them your own. Shop your house, rearrange, repurpose, re-do. Give thanks, for thou art blessed. Truly.

And hey, why not post on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter? Please tag me so I can come and love your stuff right along with you! Tell me what you love!

February 13, 2013

In fact, clutter is main cause of Decorating Fails. I've been sharing with you the simple decorating mistakes I see as I visit with clients in their homes: #1 is poor lighting choices, and #2 is furniture scale and placement. Go check those posts out if you missed 'em. It was fun to tackle those two together, wasn't it?

I'm going to focus on arranging "cluttery decor" today because it's so much more fun than the first two, which we all know we need to do anyway. And sometimes, when I start arranging things into a pretty display, it helps me "remove or store" the other clutter joyfully because I'm so jazzed about how the room looks!

One of my favorite tricks is to give tchochskys an anchor.

An anchor can be a piece of fabric, a tray, a plate, a basket, a large book..anything that pulls a bunch of different items into ONE cohesive arrangement.

Below is my coffee table. I've used a simple runner as my anchor to 8 items. Without the anchor, it would look like I threw a bunch of things on it without any forethought. The runner brings everything together and gives me a perameter for my arrangement. I won't set a random knick-knack on there now because it won't "fit" the grouping.

Here, I've used a woven placemat to anchor a vase and lamp. The color and texture "warms" the black side table and glass vase, and makes them work with the rest of the room.

In the photo below, I've used a vintage tablecloth to anchor well, pretty much anything I decide to put on my table. It is a FIGHT to keep junk (mail, purses, keys) off of it, but because I've gone to the trouble to arrange three items from my kitchen, it is worth the effort.

I grabbed a little metal bread plate to put under the loose coffee and creamer in my kitchen. Without the plate, those two things were always running away....now they look like ONE object instead of two, making my counter FEEL less cluttered, even though I actually added an item. It's like magic.

A serving tray works great! A grouping of three things at various heights is perfect.

I love baskets, and use them wherever I can. Wire baskets are my current fave and this one holds some things from my daughters' weddings.

A chicken-wire basket holds several of my paintings in my office. It takes the "messy" out of it and makes it look charming. I've even got an anchor for my anchor: a weathered piece of wood gives it a little more "weight."

Are you getting the idea?

Today's Small Thing is to PLAY with your decorative items that just look cluttery right now....and make an arrangement using an anchor.

This is fun! Move some items to another room (or closet) so can think straight. Now, make an arrangement with what's left by adding an anchor or container. Shop your house to find things with different heights, shapes and textures and see what works together. Stand with your hands on your hips and eyes slightly squinted as you consider the possibilities. Cock your head to one side and purse your lips. Yes, your arrangement is truly INSPIRED.

POINTS: 50 for getting to play with pretties! Your sanctuary should be a reflection of YOU - your things and your interests. Use "just enough" of them at a time so you can truly enjoy seeing them.

I'd love to see pics of your anchored arrangements! You can email them to me (rachelanne @ homesanctuary(dot)com) if you'd like. And leave a comment....are you inspired to take your cluttery decor to a new level? What are you playing with today?

February 05, 2013

Last week, I shared the #1 mistake people make when home decorating. Do you remember what it was? It was a great opportunity to assess my own lighting situation, and I found that changing out a couple of lightbulbs made me feel like I was living in HGTV. It was magical.

Today, I share the second mistake I see over and over again as I visit real people's homes in my job as an artist:

Incorrect scale and placement of furniture (and decor.)

Often, in the erroneous notion that "we don't want to make the room look smaller," people will line their seating arrangements along the walls. Yes, you might have a nice open floor space for wrestling, but it can make for awkward conversations when everyone is seated at odd angles and with too much distance in between them.

Instead, think: Conversational Style and Balance. Group seating in "conversational" arrangements. Don't face all the seating toward the TV set. (Sorry, men!) Imagine how a fancy hotel lobby has groups of chairs facing each other, with tables within reach to set drinks and lamps on. They want you to linger and talk! Hey, what a novel idea! Home should have the same effect, only moreso.

When it comes to scale, most of us use things that are too small in scale for decorating and furnishing. Antiques are almost always "too" dainty looking for today's decor styles, and need to be used judiciously when combined with current pieces. Using a few pieces that are "oversized," like a large armoire, a big coffee table, and generous lamps make a room look expansive and luxurious, rather than cluttered with a lot of little things.

I believe furniture pieces should be similar in scale, i.e. don't pair a huge overstuffed leather couch next to a dainty antique chair. Pull the tiny chair into another arrangement and use a chunky side chair, maybe with with ottoman, instead. This will give the room a more cohesive look and again, aids that "conversational" appeal.

Today's Small Thing is to look at the furniture arrangement in your living room.

No, you don't have to REARRANGE furniture today, unless you want to and have a strong enough back. (Sit down, Anna Marie! You've got a pinched nerve, so don't attempt it!) Simply consider your options and make a plan - that is all for today!

Then, just as soon as you can, grab an extra set of muscles and get to work. Create a conversation area by pulling chairs and sofas into a group, rather than lining the walls with them. If your room is large enough, a diagonal arrangement of your main pieces might be a fun change. Balance the room by making sure that not all the "heavy" or dark pieces are on one side, and remove the small, cluttery things that detract from a "sanctuary" feel. Shop the other rooms of your house for lamps, pillows and accessories....and you may find that you have a whole "new" living room without spending a dime!

When you look at your living room, what rearrangements can you make that will make it feel conversational and balanced?

Points: 40 for assessing your living room arrangement

OK, OK! Bonus Points: 40 for moving a few things around. PLAY! Move a lamp, bring in a new pillow, retire those dusty silk flowers. Take a picture of your room and look at the photo with a critical eye....you'll see things differently that way! (80 points possible today!)

November 16, 2012

Earlier this week, I designed and painted a vent hood for a client, who was unhappy with the previous homeowner's mural:

Before - it was a Tuscan scene that did not fit the new homeowner's style.

After - a soft faux finish with a scrolly design

Projects like these seem like they would be simple, but this one was a challenge. To accomplish it, I had to make custom patterns to fit the spaces, then transfer them onto paper at the right scale. I used a projector to do that part. Then came the tedious part of transfering the pattern onto the surface, using transfer paper beneath the pattern and tracing each line. Finally, filling in with paint so that it looked soft and painterly was the last step. It was a two day project, not including time in the studio to prepare everything. Phew!

I love how it turned out and the homeowner was very pleased with the final look! The kitchen's style was transformed from "cute" to "elegant" with this design change, and it was very gratifying. This is why I love my job!

Soooo, I've gotten behind on a bunch of things this week. The cold/flu bug that got to me last week has hung around, and although I've functioned through my work days, I've collapsed into bed each night around 8 pm and not gotten anything else done. Emails, art orders, Post Office, Thanksgiving menu, laundry....have all fallen by the wayside. This weekend, I will try to catch up on what I can, so that by Monday I hope to be feeling *ready* for the holidays.

Today's Small Thing is to join me in playing catch up. Don't make a daunting list of everything you've put off all year, but simply get to those few things that are most important. Resist adding NEW things to your To Do list, instead peck away at those items that keep lingering from one list to another....never really going away.

What ONE thing will you catch up on today? What else can you catch up on this weekend? How will it feel to finally cross it off your list?

Now, let's have some Company Girl Coffee. Feel free to link up with a new post or even an old favorite of yours. It's a great way to meet new bloggers and "catch up" with what's happening around the blogosphere.

April 30, 2012

On Friday, it was Day Three of the Jungle Themed bathroom. It was a lot more enjoyable than the previous two, (Day 1 and Day 2) because I got to start adding the fun stuff. Finally, Mr. Flamingo made his appearance.

Once I had the flamingo in place, I had to beef up the greenery around his legs....and fix a problem with the palm leaf that is behind him. (You can compare it to Friday's Post if you want.) I had painted it a darker green, which made it appear to be right underneath him, like he was sitting on it. Ooh, not cool. By re-painting it the light background leaf color (the underpainting color) the leaf "receded" to the background and now helps to connect him to the foliage below. Crisis avoided.

Next came the frog. We were going to do a lizard, but I found some great reference material for a pink frog and decided to do him instead. I added some more random leaves and shadows around him and I think he looks pretty cute!

For a frog.

Next came a parrot near the sinks. Fortunately, the shower curtain fabric has some great parrots on it and it was easy to copy one onto the wall. This is the first wall you notice when you enter the bathroom, so we wanted to put something colorful and pretty on it.

On the palm tree, I added a couple of hibiscus flowers and filled in the shadows under the foliage to give it some weight. Today I will attempt to put a monkey and some coconuts in the top of the tree, and another monkey above the froggy, on the hanging vine. Pray for me....I'm gonna need it!

Since we are talking about a Jungle Theme today, let's tie it in with a Small Thing....haha you knew I would do that, right?

Today's Small Thing is to manage the "jungle" in your house....the flora and fauna that decorate the inside and outside of your home.

Do your plants need watering? Why, do that today! How about some fertilizing or cutting back of gangley stems? I sure do need to deadhead the rosebushes out front....how about you? Use this as an excuse to get caught up on your houseplant/landscaping duties.

January 06, 2012

I had hoped to post photos earlier today, but I got into a groove working on my office and I didn't want to stop down. Now I'm pooped. But as promised, here is what it has looked like during the transformation. *Disclaimer - all photos are from my phone, so....that explains the (lack of) quality. I plan to do a "real" photo shoot when I'm completely done.

Okie Dokie. First, let me say that this space is a small loft area that overlooks our "real" office downstairs. It is oddly shaped (Kind of a "U") and has zero storage. But it's MINE, and I love it.

It started out with the walls painted a bold green. I enjoyed the color quite a bit for a couple of years, but found myself yearning for a really clean, simple palette. Art is so messy and cluttered as it is, so I opted to go for a big change. The week before Christmas, I decided to tear into it, why not?? Gooda time as any, right?

I want something feminine and vintage, but just a little bit industrial - not cluttered. Hmmm. Is that asking too much?

Here is my office "Before."

After much debate, second-guessing and going back and forth, I landed on Sherwin Williams Rice Grain for the walls. I'm still not sure how I feel about the green/gray undertone, but it's done and I'm not repainting. It works fine. But maybe I should have gone with something warmer. But then again....OY!

Oh, what a mess! But starting to feel nice and light!

I put everything back together and "shopped" my house for the little club chairs (garage sale find: 25.00 for the pair). That old brown dresser, which was given to us when we were newlyweds and we hated it even then, has stored craft supplies for years.....but boy, was it tired-looking. Again, a debate about what color to paint it. Good grief.

So here is where I started today: priming and painting the dresser Antique White. I've already painted the bookcase and a small dresser in that color and decide I want everything to blend together. Clean, Rachel, CLEAN. You can do it.

OK, don't know why my phone cam turned everything so golden, but here is pretty much where I'm at right now! I love the paint job on the dresser - now I just need 16 pulls. I'm so cheap, I don't want to spend any money on cute hardware for my 28+ year old FREE dresser. On second thought, I saw some darling ones yesterday at JoAnn Fabric.....wait, did I say that piece was FREE 28 years ago?? Maybe I'll splurge.

The little corner at the top of the stairs got the small painted dresser.

I bought three sections of an old picket fence at a garage sale (15.00) to use at our daughter's wedding in November. One section fits just right under the low wall that overlooks downstairs and helps balance all the furniture lined up on the opposite wall. Love this.

Here is my work table. I have storage issues, but for now a pre-primed piece of wainscot from Home Depot is hiding the boxes stacked underneath. The lights are work lamps from Home Depot for about 11.00 each. I took off the clamps and hung them with small clips. Oooooh, me happy. I'll deal with the visible cords another day.

I started working on the shelves. I'm sure that someday they will have nothing but art supplies in containers on them, but at least for now I can enjoy a few pretties set out.

I'm creating a little window seat nook!! Anyone know how to make a cushion?

The curtain panels were 4.99/pair from IKEA, and I tied them with a bit of burlap ribbon.

I spent the rest of the day cleaning out drawers and organizing them so I can find my art supplies when I need them. I put together the white IKEA storage boxes for the bookshelves, and tried to deal with the boxes that are stored under my work table. I made a huge mess in the hallway with all the junk I hauled out of there - again. Where does all this stuff come from, pray tell?

So, you ask, what's left to do?

1. Prime and paint the old, dark woodwork - blech. I think it will look amazingly fresh when I get that done. Will probably paint the door to the walk-through bathroom black, someday.

2. Install new hardware on dresser.

3. Reupholster or slipcover the garage sale club chairs. How I wish I could sew....

5. Trade out woven baskets on shelves for old metal locker baskets. Need that touch of "vintage industrial." EBay, here I come.

6. Would love to trade out the black basket storage to the right of the long dresser for a galvanized metal rolling storage piece. I've actually never seen what it is that I want...but think it would be cool.

7. I've got my eye on a lamp with a mercury glass base at Marshall's - I NEED it so I can return the one I stole from a bedroom to set on the painted dresser. I think it would be perfect!

8. GET BUSY CREATING ART!!

Pretty soon I'll have no excuse not to get cranking.

"Vintage Feminine Industrial?" Maybe that's what I'm going for. Tell me what you think about my progress so far. I'm open to ideas and suggestions!!